Famous Scots artist teams up with Highland Wildlife Park owners
Famous Scots artist Steven Brown has announced the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) as his charity of the year for the next 12 months.
He will paint two new works celebrating iconic species from Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park by Kincraig to raise money for the wildlife conservation charity.
Five per cent from all sales of each range will be donated to the charity to help protect wildlife in Scotland and around the world.
Brown has been to visit Edinburgh Zoo to get a feel for his next subject.
The project will be the latest in Brown’s animal kingdom collection, following his ‘Francie & Josie McZoo’ giraffes and ‘Allan & Jackie McZoo’ family of elephants.
The first of the new artworks will be launched in November, marked with a signing session with the artist at the city's zoo.
Brown commented: “I am absolutely over the moon to finally be able to announce this special relationship with RZSS.
"It is an absolute dream for me as an artist to be working with an organisation who loves animals as much as I do.
"I cannot wait to get started on the new pieces and hopefully raise as much as possible to help this charity continue to protect wildlife in Scotland and around the world.
"This project brings together everything which is close to my heart and the inspiration for my art – the welfare and conservation of animals, the use of vibrant colour and the celebration of our incredible Scottish heritage."
Ben Supple, Director of Engagement and Business Development at RZSS said, “We are delighted to work with Steven Brown Art and cannot wait to see what he produces.
“The last 18 months has been an incredibly difficult time for our charity, with the closure of our parks for a total of five months cutting off our main source of income.
“While we still face significant financial pressures, the money raised by these works will help support our work to safeguard threatened species and project animals from extinction in Scotland and around the world.”
An exclusive range of the new commissions will be available at Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park and Brown’s flagship store in his hometown Ayr.
The full range, along with all the artist’s designs including his famous highland cow range the McCoo’s, will be available from stevenbrownart.co.uk.
Brown is renowned for his use of vibrant colour in his collections. While recovering from two heart attacks in 2012, Brown started to experiment with colour and materials, developing an abstract technique.
His famous colourful crew include the well-known highland cow ‘McCoos’ as well as the expanding ‘McZoo’ range.
